Swing Your Loaf

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GENTLE READERS,Take a bite of the Poilane (the bread named for and made by France's most famous loafer, Lionel Poilane), shipped all the way from Paris. Now chew on chunks from other local bakeries in the city such as Grand Central, Pearl and Whole Foods. Ken Forkish, the more-than-a-little-obsessed proprietor of Ken's Artisan Bakery, is holding a bread square dance of sorts at his shop on Thursday, April 25, from noon to 7 pm. While he claims this is more along the lines of a wine tasting than a bread bout, judging the different tastes is half the fun. Plus, it's free. Bring your buds 338 NW 21st Ave., 248-2202.

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The contentious site of the former Arby's at Southeast 34th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard isn't turning into a McDonald's as originally planned, but has transformed into Noris Bistro, a restaurant that also sells organic dairy products. Franz Wenz, who owns the Noris Dairy outside of Albany, plans to feature fresh-from-the-grass-fed-cow milk, cream, butter and ice cream, and the menu will have a European dairy focus with offerings such as potato dumplings and rich cakes. Call 235-7735.

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Berlin Inn Restaurant and Bakery have had a baby. Welcome their new wine stübe into the world. If you want German wines, they want you. A huge selection of Deutschland vino classified in the German way (naturally, the country has its own classification system) awaits. 3131 SE 12th Ave., 238-4068.

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More on the fermentation front. BridgePort Brewing took away three medals at the Brewing Industry International Awards in London last week. Old Knucklehead Barley Wine Style Ale won a silver, as did Ebenezer Ale. Blue Heron Ale snagged a bronze.

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The ever-blossoming Beaverton Farmers Market kicks off the season on Saturday, May 11, and runs 8 am to 1:30 pm on Saturdays at Southwest Hall Boulevard and 3rd Street in the sweetest li'l suburb in the whole world. Look for over 100 vendors and an array of international artisan food. All ag, all the time.

Answer: That good-cause eat-athon called Taste of the Nation is this Monday, April 29, 6-9 pm. This is the event where all the alluring (and generous--everything's donated) restaurants in town set up nibble tables in the Portland Center for the Performing Arts and you pay $60 in advance ($70 at the door) to eat your way through the building. The best part is that 100 percent of your ticket price benefits organizations that help with hunger. You can score tickets at www.strength.org or by calling 222-4644.